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Friday, July 2, 1999

Heat continues, as mercury reaches 117

PECOS, July 2, 1999 -- Texas A&M Research Station recorded a high
temperature of 117 degrees on Thursday at their site west of Pecos, one
degree higher than the record 116 recorded in July, 1958.

Frank Apolinar Jr. recorded an official 113 for the National Weather
Service at the new station on South Park Street.

Last year, Pecos had a high of 90 on July 1, after cooling rains fell
the day before, dropping the unusually high June temperatures below 100.
Mercury climbed back over 100 on July 3 and stayed there for the rest of
the month, excluding three days that 97, 98 and 99 were recorded.

Thursday's high temperature at the research station matched the high
recorded nationally of 117 degrees in Las Vegas, Nev. The local NWS temperatures
are not included in the national totals because the station is not automated.

The Associated Press reports the holiday weekend should get off to barbecue-hot
start all over Texas.

The mercury has finally gotten up to Texas summer levels, and it is
expected to get warmer amid clear to partly cloudy skies today and tomorrow.
Many areas of the state should be in the upper 90s with a few areas reaching
triple digits.

Temperatures early this morning ranged from 70 degrees at Dalhart to
86 degrees at El Paso. Winds were mostly southerly at 15 to 25 mph.

Commissioners OK golf cart lease deal

By ROSIE FLORESStaff Writer

PECOS, July 2, 1999 -- Golf carts for the Reeves County Golf Course
will be leased for a year, with an option to buy, county commissioners
decided during their meeting this morning at the Reeves County Courthouse.

Commissioners approved leasing 30 electric golf carts at $85 per month
during the meeting, to replace the electric carts which were sold off last
month during a dispute over management of the course and pro shop.

County auditor Lynn Owens told the court that it would be a good idea
to lease the carts for a year and see how they felt about the issue later.

"I would hate to see us locking into a purchase right now, if we lease
them now, you can always decide to buy them later," said Owens.

There are currently 30 golf carts out at the golf course right now,
but they are gasoline-powered "tournament fleet" carts. Those type of carts
are the ones usually brought in by golfers for use during tournaments held
at the golf course.

County Judge Jimmy Galindo said the electric carts "are for about $30,600
a year and then we can purchase them after that."

"During the lease agreement who is in charge of maintenance?" asked
Owens, after which the court took a recess to allow Galindo to contact
the company and find out about maintenance costs during the lease period.

The carts have a four-year warranty on he major components, but the
county would be responsible for the daily servicing of the carts, such
as keeping water in the batteries, commissioners were eventually told.

"I would think that on a lease they would be responsible for the maintenance,
but if we were buying them it would be our responsibility," said Galindo.

The option to buy the carts would be at $2,750 per cart, if purchased.

Delivery date of the new carts that will be leased has been set for
Aug. 1.

"Right now we use the ones we have until the others are delivered, the
only thing is the ones we have now are a gasoline fleet," said Galindo.

In other action, commissioners approved raises for all Reeves County
Sheriff's Department employees.

Sheriff Andy Gomez told the court that he is trouble keeping his employees.
"We're having a crisis in our office right now, they (employees) either
go work at the RCDC or at the police department," said Gomez. "I've talked
to them and they say it's because of the money."

"I've got a deputy position open at this time and I don't want to replace
him and use those funds for raises for all my employees," said Gomez.

The solution was a re-classification of the employees and would make
it possible for all employees to receive a boost in their pay.

"I've really got to commend the sheriff on this," said Galindo. "He
came to the table with a problem and a solution, I really appreciate that,"
while adding, "it might not be a full solution."

"It's really great of the sheriff, because it's not just the element
of the deputy's position, but he's willing to increase the pay of all his
employees," said Galindo. "I appreciate the sheriff doing that."

Several employees from the sheriff's department were on hand for the
regular meeting.

Commissioners approved a resolution to grant the action to proceed to
ask the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for their assistance.

Jimmy Dutchover told the court that the first step was to pass the resolution
to empower someone from the commissioners court, probably the judge, to
act on their behalf to work with the parks and wildlife.

"This is related to parks and goes with the recreation program already
begun by the county," said Dutchover.

"They will not help us without the resolution," he added. "There is
a need for a master plan to look for avenues for grant monies."

The resolution grants the authority to proceed to ask the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department for their assistance, according to Dutchover.

Hike and bike trails, possibly at the old Airbase could be incorporated
with the grant monies, according to Galindo.

"We would have to clean it up and develop a hike and bike trail," he
said. "Another idea would be to look at building a man-made pond, similar
to the one in Odessa," he said.

"Texas Parks and Wildlife would help us to develop a master plan," said
Galindo.

"We will include the county as a whole and start to look at matching
grants," said Dutchover. "Probably through interlocal agreements with the
city and other entities."

"This would be just like a blueprint and then we would go from there,"
said Dutchover.

Big night by Murray at rodeo

By JON FULBRIGHTStaff Writer

PECOS, July 2, 1999 -- Ty Murray didn't disappoint his fans Thursday
night at the West of the Pecos Rodeo.

Murray suffered through three years of injuries before returning to
the top in 1998, capturing his seventh All-Around Cowboy championship at
the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. But at the West of the Pecos Rodeo,
Murray failed to place in two of his three riding events and finished out
of the money in the third.

This year, Murray came into the West of the Pecos ranked only fifth
in the All-Around standings as of last week, and more than $60,000 behind
leader Fred Whitfield of Hockley. But on Thursday, the Stephenville cowboy
took a step towards making up ground on Whitfield, as he placed either
first or second in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding on the opening
night of the rodeo.

His 80 point ride on `Maybelline' was enough to give him the lead in
the saddle bronc competition, after scoring 83 points on `Skoals Free Ride'
in bareback, putting him second behind Jeff Collins, who had an 86 point
ride. Murray then posted the best score of the night to close out Thursday's
bull riding, an 84 on `Hot Child,' which put him in second place overall,
behind Vince Stanton's 85-point ride Wednesday on `Copenhagen Bad Leroy
Brown.'

Murray was the only rider to get past the 80-point barrier Thursday
in bull riding. Brian Herman fell to third with his 81 point ride on Wednesday,
while Dusty Stewart took over fourth place, scoring 79 points on `Super
Freak' during the first of the two bull riding sections.

Collins, of Redfield, Kan.,Collins, of Redfield, Kan., currently leads
the standings in bareback and helped his cause with his
86-point ride of `Skoals After Midnight.' Australian cowboy Lance Kelley
scored an 81 on
`White Lightning' to earn third place after the first night of competition.

Like bull riding, saddle bronc riding was in its second night and aside
from Murray, both Cliff
Norris of Goodwill, Ark., and Rancy Bray of Texhoma vaulted past Wednesday's
leaders into a
tie for second place. Each scored 77 points, Norris on `Jeremiah' and
Bray on `Smoke.' Red
Lemmel, Wednesday's leader with a 76-point ride, fell to fourth, and
defending NFR champ Dan
Mortenson slipped into a tie for fifth with Kelley.

The cowboy Murray is chasing for the All-Around title, Whitfield, stands
fifth in the average in calf
roping, where both the Top 8 in the second go round and for the average
remained unchanged
after Thursday's show. Rusty Miller leads with a 9.4 time in the second
go, and Bubba Paschal
continues to hold the average lead, with a 19 second combined time.

The leaders also remained the same in steer wrestling, were Ote Berry
and Byron Walker lead the
second go with 4.4 second times, and Berry holds a one second leader
over Walker in the
average, with a 9.5 total.

In steer roping, Leo Campbell continues to hold the lead with a 39.2
time on three attempts, and
David Felton remains the third go round leader, after an 11.1 time
on Wednesday. The lone
change came in the average, where Buster Record took over seventh place,
with a 52.4
combined time.

Defending NFR champs Speed Williams and Rich Skelton maintained their
lead in team roping,
both in the second go round, with a 6.5 second time, and in the average,
with a 13.1 total. The
other leaders in the second go round and in the average also were unchanged
after Thursday's
show.

The top four in barrel racing also held their positions, with Corley
Cox of Cottula in the lead at
17.54 seconds. Carol Ann McGrew of Dayton, Tx., took over fifth place
with a 17.73 time, and
Kim Green of Big Spring moved into the No. 6 spot, with a ride of 17.79
seconds.

Thursday's show had about half the stands at the Buck Jackson Rodeo
Arena filled, as
temperatures at the start of the show at 8:30 p.m. were still above
100 degrees after a high of 117
earlier in the day. The temperature is supposed to be slightly cooler
for tonight's second
performance, and clouds are supposed to move in to the area on Saturday
and Sunday, which
should drop daytime temperatures into the upper 90s by Sunday's final
performance.

Tonight's show will be followed by a dance featuring Tejano music singing
star Bobby Pulido at
the Reeves County Civic Center, while Black Gold continues their four
night run at the Reeves
County Sheriff's Posse Barn post-rodeo dance.

Jury returns indictment in cocaine arrest

PECOS, July 2, 1999 -- Federal grand jurors on Thursday indicted Evigael
Navarette on a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Pecos Police arrested Navarette, 41, of 1035 Rancho Road, June 6 on
a warrant for probation violation on a previous possession of cocaine conviction.

Upon inventorying Navarette's vehicle, officers found two large packages
of suspected cocaine, said Paul Deishler, narcotics investigator. Deishler
said the cocaine, weighing 1/2 to one ounce, was packaged for distribution.

Also in the vehicle was $17,500, which officers seized.

Obtaining a search warrant for Navarette's home, officers located various
contraband, a weapon and ammunition, Deishler said.

Two El Paso residents are charged with possession of 1,384.44 pounds
of marijuana for distribution on June 11. They are Jonathan Christopher
Musselman, 29, and Kelly Jean Rivers.

A Midland woman was indicted for alleged assimilative crime, intoxication
assault, on May 22.

Mary Rodriguez, 38, is charged with causing serious bodily injury to
Jose Luis Hernandez while under influence of intoxicating liquor in a national
park.

They are among 25 defendants indicted Thursday. Other charges are importing
and possessing marijuana for distribution, eight; possession with intent
to distribute marijuana, 11; illegal entry after deportation, three; and
failure to appear, two.

One defendant charged with importing and possessing marijuana is also
charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase.

The Pecos Enterprise took first place in the commercial organizations
floats and Texas-New Mexico Power Company placed second.

Bill Hubbs' antique car placed first in that division and San-Ford and
Sons (Bill's Lock and Key) took second place.

In the bicycles division, Chris Sonnen placed first with Robert's Construction
was second.

Horse and animal drawn division, first place went to Reeves County Sheriff's
Posse and second place to Anchor West.

Primera Iglesia Bautista Youth Group took first place in the civic organizations
division and Young and the Restless Day Care placed second.

Rodeo cowboy and actor Ty O'Neal served as grand marshal for this year's
parade. State Rep. Gary Walker, who represents Reeves County in the Texas
Legislature, also was a participant in the parade.

Congressman Henry Bonilla missed the parade for the first time since
being elected to Congress in 1992, but the San Antonio Republican said
he was proud to represent Pecos, a community which hosts the world renowned
rodeo very Fourth of July weekend.

"Folks from all across Texas and other states flock to Pecos for this
annual event," said Bonilla.

"The annual event for Pecos was actually the first `true' rodeo ever
held, with full fledged advertising and an array of different prizes and
contestants," said Bonilla.

"These cowboys would compete in the Pecos rodeo to prove their `excellence'
by competing for the grand prize. The winning cowboy would have the ultimate
bragging rights," he said.

"The rodeo has definitely established extensive contributions to the
quality of life in Pecos," said Bonilla.

Lindsay homes face heat wave with little water

By PEGGY McCRACKENStaff Writer

PECOS, July 2, 1999 -- Residents in the Lindsay Addition are hot in
more ways than one. A water shortage has put air conditioning units out
of commission just when temperatures are hitting record levels.

Slim Heath is one of those who complained to the Madera Valley Water
Supply Corporation about the lack of water.

"I am mad!" Heath told Madera Valley board president Herman Tarin this
morning. "In 116 degrees, a wife with heart trouble sitting in the house
with no air conditioner. I'm hot! What's your holdup on the water?"

Tarin said that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has delayed a pipeline
project that would supply more water to the Lindsay Addition five miles
southwest of Pecos.

"They requested a complete environmental assessment from Hoban to the
Alamo lines," Tarin said. "It has already been done to satisfy Rural Development,
which loaned us the $1.5 million for the project. Jimmy Galindo (county
judge) has a copy of the paperwork, and he will send it to them."

Heath said the water pressure drops about 4 p.m. each day, and nothing
comes out of the tap.

Tarin said that part of the problem is people watering their gardens
and lawns with the potable water, which they have been asked not to do.

Some Lindsay Addition residents have refused to comply with Madera Valley's
request not to water lawns and gardens, Tarin said.

"We asked them to stop watering grass, and they said, `as long as we
are paying for water, we will do what we want,'" Tarin said.

That has to change, he said.

"Human lives are our priority," he said. "We ask them to conserve and
help us get the problem taken care of."

Heath disputed the claim. "I didn't see a hydrant on nowhere. I drove
all over (Thursday)," he said.

Tarin also said that Madera Valley has been borrowing water from Toyah
to supply their customers, but Toyah is having water problems of their
own and asked them not to use any more.

"We were using all that water from Toyah, but they cut us off," he said.

Another problem has cut off customers along Duval Road, Tarin said,
and they are hoping to get an electrician out today to repair it.

"We had a starter burn up, with melted wires, and we are having lots
of problems getting an electrician," he said.

Larry Lippe of Fort Davis promised to come out today to repair it, he
said.

New employees who have not yet learned all the ropes have also contributed
to the water shortage, Tarin said.

"They have been trying to flush out the lines at the new Hoban station,"
he said. "We are waiting for fish and wildlife to look into the Lindsay
water lines. We spent $1.2 million to get the lines to Hoban.

"They have to understand it has been hot here, and we need that project
finished as soon as we can."

Tarin said that Fish and Wildlife wants to ensure that the new pipeline
will not affect springs in the area.

"They are afraid we will cut springs feeding Sand Lake," he said.

A previous project was stopped by Fish and Wildlife in 1994 because
they feared a new well west of Balmorhea might create a water shortage
for the Pecos Pupfish living in San Solomon Springs.

"We had a grant for $350,000, and we had to give it back," Tarin said.

Tarin said he would call an emergency meeting of the board tonight if
necessary.

Obituary

Priscilla G. Rodriguez

Funeral services for Priscilla G. Rodriguez, 43, will be held at 10 a.m.
Saturday, July 3, at Santa Rosa Catholic Church, under the direction of
Pecos Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.

A rosary will be held this evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Pecos Funeral
Home Chapel.

Rodriguez was born on April 23, 1956 and died Wednesday, June 30, in
Midland Memorial Hospital.

She was a retired clerk for Dillard's in Midland and a Catholic.

Survivors include her mother, Elvira Rodriguez of Pecos; two brothers,
Enrique Rodriguez, Jr., of Pecos and Robert Rodriguez of Las Vegas, Nev.;
and five sisters, Velma Minjarez, Fay Valles and Betty Rodriguez of Pecos,
Edna Martinez of Carlsbad, N.M. and Diana Rayos of Las Vegas, Nev.

Weather

High Thursday 113; overnight low 77. Last year this date, 112 in 1957.
Low 59 in 1934. July record high 116 in 1958. Tonight, mostly clear. Low
70-75. Southeast wind 10-20 mph. Saturday, partly cloudy. High 95-100.
South wind 10-20 mph and gusty. Rest of the independence day weekend, partly
cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s. Highs in the mid 90s.